@bethvogt It’s that time of year again, friends. What time of year? The time when I ask, “Are you a resolution kind of person or a One Word kind of person?” I’m wrapping up my 14th year choosing One Word for the year and I haven’t missed New Year’s resolutions. At all. Writing up a list? Don’t miss it. …
The Problem of Letting “What If?” Lead Us into Our Future
@bethvogt Most mornings I wake up and wander into the bathroom down the hall, step on to the small electronic scale, and start the morning off with a quick check of my weight. Some mornings it’s an “all good” kind of day. And some mornings it’s an “uh-oh” kind of day. My reaction is directly related to my actions …
Remember to be Kind … And Forget to be Angry
@bethvogt Did you hear about former president George W. Bush sitting next to talk show host Ellen DeGeneres at an NFL football game this past weekend between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers? There was quite a Twitter controversy about it. People were upset, wondering why a gay Hollywood liberal was sitting next to a conservative Republican president. …
When It’s Wise to Take Responsibility for Our Anxiety
@bethvogt I’m sharing one of my less-than-stellar mom moments today. That’s always fun. Okay, so sharing the time I went a little “cuckoo mama” on one of my kiddos isn’t fun – but it is honest. My youngest daughter Christa headed to college in Minnesota a few months ago. We dropped her off early for volleyball tryouts on August 16, …
Redefining Balance So We Stop Thinking We’re Doing Life Wrong
I have a certain morning routine. I typed that sentence and immediately – immediately – thought of the many ways my “certain” morning routine is interrupted on any given day. I walked away from this blog post and made myself a cup of tea. Came back, started typing again, all the while laughing out loud so that my husband …
Choosing to Realize Being “Good and Mad” is All Wrong
@bethvogt I almost got into an argument with a good friend yesterday – one of my best friends, as a matter of fact. But I hit a huge roadblock on my way to getting “good and mad.” I was lining up all my reasons for being angry and staying that way, and then I got up to walk around my …
Realizing Stories Connect Us: Where Were You on September 11, 2001?
@bethvogt There are days that change a generation. That change the world forever. Days that are marked as “never to be forgotten.” Today is one of those days. On September 11, 2001 – 18 years ago – four U.S. commercial airplanes were hijacked in terrorist attacks on our country. A total of 2, 977 people were killed in New …
Choosing Our Anchors Wisely
@bethvogt I own two anchor necklaces. My husband gave me one last Christmas. The other was also a Christmas gift from my dear friend, Angie. I’ve worn one necklace most days this past year. The other one hangs from the rear-view mirror in my car so I see it most days, too. Why are these two necklaces so important to …
When Do We Stop Worrying About What People Think of Us?
@bethvogt This is one of my “thinking out loud” moments and you – yes, all of you – get to listen in. It’s 4:10 a.m. when I’m writing this as I try to figure out something. Sometimes I do that by putting words on paper. This time, I decided to let my scribblings become a blog post. Last Wednesday I …
Choosing to Open Our Hearts to Encouragement
@bethvogt Some stories are worth retelling. This is one of those stories. It’s a true story, one I love to share with others because what happened 21 years ago changed me and influences me to this day. Let me tell you why I love hummingbirds. *** After eight years living in Niceville, FL (yes, Niceville), my roots ran deep into …